Retractable cavity nozzle for vacuum packing and lifting device



March 30, 1965 K. E. BELKNAP RETRACTABLE CAVITY NOZZLE FOR VACUUMPACKING AND LIFTING DEVICE Filed April 22, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.6.

nvmvrox. Kenneth E. Belknop a? March 30, 1965 K. E. BELKNAP RETRACTABLECAVITY NOZZLE FOR VACUUM PACKING AND LIFTING DEVICE Filed April 22, 19605 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvroa. Kenneth E Belknup March 30, 1965 K. E. BELKNAPRETRACTABLE CAVITY NOZZLE FOR VACUUM PACKING AND LIFTING DEVICE FiledApril 22, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Kenneth E. Belknup BY 7 JMarch 30, 1965 K. E. BELKNAP 3,175,590

RETRACTABLE CAVITY NOZZLE FOR VACUUM PACKING AND LIFTING DEVICE FiledApril 22, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 F i g. 5. 53

lNVENTOR Kenneth E. BelKnup March 30, 1965 K. E. BELKNAP RETRACTABLECAVITY NOZZLE FOR VACUUM PACKING AND LIFTING DEVICE Filed April 22, 19605 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Kenneth E. Belknap United States Patent l3,175,599 RETRACTABLE CAVITY NOZZLE FOR VACUUM PACKWG AND LIFTING DEVICEKenneth E. Belknap, Dinuha, Califi, assignor, by mesue assignments, toJohn Mohr 8; Sons, Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Apr. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 24,16915 Claims. (Cl. 141-8) This invention relates to improvements in vacuumpacking devices and more particularly to devices especially adapted foruse in vacuum packing eviscerated poultry or the like in collapsible airtight bags. In this regard, reference is made to U.S. Patent No.2,681,757 for Vacuum Packing and Lifting Device, issued June 22, 1954.

It is an object of the within invention to provide a novel vacuum tubeto withdraw air from two locations within a bag containing poultry. Sucha tube is mounted within an outer tubular sleeve which has a nozzlenormally proximate the end of the vacuum tube.

This outer sleeve, which mounts the bag and contents, and the inner tubeare slidably axially movable relative to one another to cause the end ofthe inner tube to removably project into the body cavity of theeviscerated poultry, substantially below the nozzle of the outer sleeve.

Heretofore, it has been customary to vacuumize collapsible bagscontaining poultry by a vacuum nozzle tube insertable in the bag neckand which said tube is in communication with a vacuum source andraisable by a vacuum actuated motor to lift the bag and contents andremove air therefrom. One of the difficulties inherent in this apparatusand method was that the neck of the bag would collapse around the nozzlewhen subjected to vacuum, hindering how of air from the bag through thetube. To overcome this problem, the operator was required to apply aconstant downward hand pressure on the bag to stretch and keep open theneck portion. This procedure not only required skill on the part of theoperator but slowed the vacuumizing operation, and oftentimes producedinconsistent packing results.

It is a primary object of the within invention to eliminate the abovementioned difliculties by providing a vacuum tube mounted within anelongated tubular sleeve so that when the bag containing poultry islifted by the outer sleeve, the inner tube will project from a positionproximate the nozzle of the outer sleeve into the body cavity of thepoultry substantially below the nozzle and maintain a constant channelthrough which air may be withdrawn from the bag and contents, eventhough the neck of the bag collapses around the nozzle itself.

It is another primary object of the within invention to provide an innertube as above described which is raisable from the body cavity of thepoultry to a position proximate the nozzle of the outer sleeve after airhas been withdrawn from the bag and contents. This allows the operatorto air-seal the neck of the collapsed bag below the nozzle. Such anobject is accomplished by providing means to urge the inner tubeslidably upward at the desired time.

It is another object of the within invention to provide means forreturning the inner tube to normal position when communication betweenthe vacuum source and the vacuum actuated motor is closed, therebyenabling the vacuum packing procedure to be repeated. Such object isaccomplished by providing means on the outer sleeve to frictionallyinterlock the inner tube to cause the inner tube and the outer sleeve tomove downward together.

A feature and advantage of the within invention resides in the fact thatthe device is pivotally mounted on a support means cooperable with meanson the device to open and close communication between the motor and the3,175,590 Patented Mar. 30, 1965 source. Thus, by simple pivotalmovement of the outer tubular sleeve, the vacuum motor may be activatedand deactivated.

Another object of the within invention is to provide a more thorough andetficient method of vaccum packaging a non-collapsible hollow articlehaving an open end, such as eviscerated poultry, in a collapsibleair-tight bag. Such a method comprises the steps of withdrawing air fromat least two locations in the bag containing the article. Morespecifically, said method comprises the steps of placing the article ina collapsible bag with the open end of the article adjacent the neck ofthe bag, withdrawing air from the bag at a first location proximate theneck of said bag and withdrawing air from a second location within thehollow of the article during and after withdrawal of air at said firstlocation. In other words, the vacuum at the first location causes thebag to col lapse against the article, and during the collapse of the bagand after its collapse air is withdrawn from within the article. Thus,the method of the present invention uses the hollow packaged article toprevent the bag from collapsing around the vacuum tube which enables oneto obtain substantially unrestricted air flow from the bag at all timesand to attain substantially complete evacuation of air from the bag.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following specification and referring to the accompanyingdrawings in which similar characters of reference representcorresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a satisfactory embodiment of thewithin invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of the embodiment of FIG.1, showing the motor and associated outer sleeve and inner tube innormal position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, in section, of the embodiment of FIG.1, showing the motor vacuum actuated and the inner tube extending beyondthe lower end of the outer sleeve;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, in section, of the embodiment of FIG.1, showing the device pivotally mounted on a post also supporting anautomatic bag clipping and cutting device and showing the outer sleeveand inner tube in raised position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational View, in section, of the vacuum valvemechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the outer sleeveand inner tube showing apertures cornmunicating the outer sleeve withthe inner tube; and

FIGS. 7-11, inclusive, are vertical, sectional views of the withininvention showing the component parts thereof in different positions ofoperation.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, an embodiment of theinvention is shown in FIG. 1 as generally comprising a vacuum valvemechanism A having a vacuum source B communicating therewith, a supportbracket C pivotally mounting the device, a vacuum actuated tube liftingmechanism D communicating with valve mechanism A, an associated outerretractable bag lifting sleeve E and slidable inner vacuum tube F.

Outer tube E has a slotted portion 3 through which a retaining arm 5extends to engage stop ring 7 abutting compression spring 9, all ofwhich will hereinafter be explained more fully.

As best seen in FIG. 4, support bracket C includes a tubular member 11mounted for slidable vertical movement on a stationary post 13.Indicated schematically at H is an automatic clip feeding and fasteningdevice according to that described in Patent No. 2,907,494. This 3device 'is shown for purposes of illustration as also mounted'on post13, and the combination of such device with the appaartus of the withininvention'is more particularly described in my copending applicationSerial No. 24,170, now Patent No. 3,046,713, filed on an even dateherewith and entitled: Combination Vacuum Lifter and Bag ClippingAssembly.

Arm 15 of support bracket C terminates in abutment plate 17 to which areattached side frame members 19 and end frame 21. A mount book 22connected to the device is interposed between side frames 19 andpivotally mounted thereto by means of pivot bolt 23.

'At the end of valve mechanism A is a valve actuating lever 25 attachedto valve rod 49. The lever 25 is mounted for pivotal movement to frame29 as at 30, and frame 29 is anchored to connecting plates 31 of thevacuum valve housing 33. -This lever 25 includes stop 35 and stop 37which project outwardly therefrom to selectively abut plate 17 uponpivotal movement of the machine. The stops are adjustable to allow forWear due to friction against plate, 17.

Referring-now to FIG. 5, a detailed sectional View of vacuum valveme'chanisnrA, the vacuum source B is shown attached to an outwardlyprojecting conduit member 39 which opens into valve chamber 41. In thisview a valve head 43, preferably formed of resilient material such asrubber, appears in seated position abutting the wall around the openingof conduit 39 forming a tight seal between chamber 41 and the conduit.The head 43 may be mounted on a base 45 threadedly connected to nut 47and rod 49. The valve chamber 41 is preferably sealed from the rodchamber 44 of valve housing 33, and a flexible diaphragmSl is providedfor this purpose. The dia-- phragm is snugly fitted about the valve headbase 45 backed by collar 52 and extends outwardly of housing 33 betweenconnecting plates 31 where it is secured by bolts 53. Disposed behindthe diaphragm is a compression spring 55 for actuating the valve toclosed position. The spring 55 is seated at one end on nut 47, and itsopposite end abuts the rear wall of chamber 44.

In operation of the valve, when the device is pivoted in frame 19causing either stop 35 or stop 37 to abut plate 17, the valve actuatinglever 25 will pivot at 36 biasing valve rod 49 rearwardly to unseatvalve head 43 and cause the creation of a vacuum in valve chamber 41.The diaphragm 51 will flex with the movement of rod 49.

When the device is in normal vertical position, and stop 35 is slightlyspaced apart from abutment plate 17, pressure from source B pluspressure from spring 55 causes return of valve head 43 to seatingposition closing communication between the source and chamber 41.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, showing detailedsectional views of the device, the major phases of operation may beseen. These views respectively show the machine in (1) neutral or atrest position with communication closed between source B and tubelifting mechanism or motor D; (2) vacuumizing position with source Bactuating the motor D and retaining arm engaging slidable inner tube Fwhich projects into the body cavity of theipoultry; and (3) bagfastening and trimming position in which retaining arm 5 is out ofengagement with inner tube F and both the vacuum tube F and outer sleeveE are raised. 7

As is seen in the drawings, a main conduit 57 extends from valve chamber41 to communicate with vacuum tube F (through channel 59) and liftchamber 61 (through channel 63). The upper portion of tube F passesthrough the center of chamber 61 and in operation will ride into and outof channel 59. The upward movement of tube F is limited by stop 60. Alsoin chamber e1 are pistons generally indicated at 65. These pistons s5include head plates 67 which are afiixed to outer'sleeve E and resilientcups 73 shown snugly engaging the inner walls of chamber 61. An O-ring71 is mounted on the vertically extending portions of plates 67, andring and cups seal the chamber against atmospheric pressure induced byvacuum relief ports 75.

At the upper end of thevacuum lift chamber is a down- Wardly extendingportion 77 to which a compression spring 79 is anchored. The spring hasan opposite end abutting the heads of pistons .65. As is obvious, whenvacuum raises pistons 65 in the chamber, spring 79 compresses, and, whenvacuum is removed from the chamber, will decompress to urge the pistons,and aflixed outer sleeve E downward to normal position.

The housing of motor D extends downwardly, telescoping the upper portionof outer sleeve E and forms a guide 81 for the vertical movement of thesleeve. A retaining screw is indicated at 84. This screw prevents theturning of sleeve E relative to the housing of motor D. Thus, theslotted portion 3 of. sleeve E is maintained in proper alignment toreceive arm 5. At the lower portion of outer sleeve E a hand grip 83 isprovided. This grip is defined by annular raised portions 85 andterminates in a flared nozzle 95. In the nozzle, vacuum is created bymeans of apertures 93 in the inner. tube F formed adjacent the narrowedend portion of the tube. The bottom 97 of tube F is closed and aperturesare formed about the neck of the tube as at 98. By this means aplurality of air intake openings are made available, which are locatedso asnot to become plugged and. inhibit air flow if the end of the airtube contacts against the fleshy part of the birds cavity or the like.Nozzle 95 is air sealed above apertures 93 by an O-ring 91 whichtogether with O-ring 69 also performs the function of frictionallyengaging the inner tube F. Thus, when vacuum pressure is absent fromchamber 61, causing movement of the outer sleeve downward to neutral,the inner tube also returns to neutral.

The operation of the mechanism will now be described by havingparticular reference to FIGS. 7-11 inclusive.

FIG, 7 shows the position of the various parts comprising the devicewhen the machine is at rest or in neutral position. The operatorfirst'raises or lowers the machine on its primary support 13 so that theend 97 of tube F and the end of nozzle 95 are disposed above the packingtable 99 a distance determined by the size of the bird to be packed. Thebird, indicated by the dotted lines at 103, is then manually placed.into a collapsible bag 101 formed of air-tight material, such asplioiilm or polyethylene. r

The bird is placed in the bag with the tail end up in direct alignmentwith the neck 105 of the bag. Consequently, the cut, in the abdomen ofthe bird through which the viscera are removed, is also aligned with thebag neck. After the fowl has been placed in the bag, the bag neck 105 isplaced over the annular raised portions 85 of outer sleeve E and held bythe operator in this position. 7

The machine is then pivoted slightly, as shown in FIG. 8, to actuatethe. vacuum lifting mechanism D. Arm 5 becomes engaged with stop ring 7and motor D has lifted outer sleeve E relative to vacuum tube F therebycausing the end of tube F to project into the body cavity of the bird.In this position air is withdrawn from the bag through the end ofnozzle95, and from the interior of the fowl, through the apertures 98 in theend 97 of inner tube F. This tube forms a constant channel forWithdrawal of air even though the bag may collapse around the end ofnozzle 95 impeding withdrawal of air therethrough.

Once the. bag and contents are thoroughly vacuumized, the operatorpivots the machine slightly in the opposite direction. This movementdisengages arm 5 and inner tube F rises under pressure of spring 9 to anupper position proximate the end of nozzle 95. As the lower end of tubeF has withdrawn from the interior of the fowl, the operator is permittedto spin or twist the bag to form a rope-like seal in the neck of the bagas is indicated at 107. The machine is then further pivoted to theposition illustrated in FIG. 9. At this position stop 37 abuts plate 17which causes valve head 43 to barely crack open. This causesre-establishment of sufficient vacuum communication with source B tomaintain the bag in lifted position so that the neck of the bag willalign with the jaws of the bag fastening and cutting machine H.

P16. illustrates the position of the machine immediately after impact ofthe bag neck against the jaws of the fastening machine has caused a clipor metal band to be applied to the bag neck, and FIG. 11 shows thetrimmed bag after it has dropped to the packing table and the packagingjob has been completed.

When the machine is returned to normal or neutral position, the valve iscaused to close and piston spring 79 will force outer sleeve E and innertube F (associated with sleeve E by virtue of O-rings 71 and 91) toreturn to the position shown in FIG. 7 in which position the machine isin readiness for another operating cycle.

The entire vacuumizing, fastening and trimming operation requires only afew seconds of time and may be performed with one hand leaving the otherhand free for assembly purposes.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it is understood that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the spirit of the invention as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bag vacuu mizing and lifting device in combination with a vacuumsource: a vacuum actuated motor in communication with said source; anouter vertically movable elongated tubular sleeve drivably connected tosaid motor and having a nozzle at the end thereof; an elongated vacuumtube mounted within said outer sleeve communicating with said source,and switch means on said device to open and close communication betweensaid source, said motor, said sleeve and said vacuum tube; said tubemounted for slidable axial movement relative to said sleeve uponactuation of said switch means selectively to a first normal position inwhich said sleeve nozzle is proximate the end of said tube, a secondposition in which said sleeve nozzle is raised substantially above theend of said tube, and a third position in which the end of said tube isproximate the end of the raised said sleeve nozzle.

2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said device is pivotallymounted on a stationary support mem ber and wherein said switch means toopen and close communication is operable by pivoting said device on saidsupport.

3. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said device is pivotallymounted to a secondary support for pivotal movement from normal positionin one direction to actuate said motor and raise said outer sleeverelative to said inner tube, and for pivotal movement in anotherdirection to raise the end of said inner tube proximate the nozzle ofthe raised said outer sleeve and reactua-te said motor.

4. In a bag vacuumizing and lifting device in combination with a vacuumsource: a vacuum actuated motor, said motor in communication with saidsource; an outer vertically movable elongated tubular sleeve connectedto said motor and movable upon vacuum actuation of said motor from anormal lowered position to a raised position; said sleeve having avacuum nozzle at the bottom end thereof in communication with saidsource and to receive thereon the neck of a bag, an elongated vacuumtube mounted within said outer sleeve and communicat ing with saidsource, means on said device to open and close communication betweensaid source, said motor, said sleeve and said vacuum tube; said vacuumtube and sleeve slidably axially movable relative to one another, thelower end of said tube occupying a position proximate the nozzle on saidsleeve when the latter is in normal lowered position; disengageable stopmeans on said device to maintain said vacuum tube stationary and tocause same to project into the bag interior below said nozzle when theouter sleeve carrying said bag is in raised position; means operablewhen said stop means is disengaged and said sleeve is in raisedposit-ion to vertically raise said vacuum tube within said sleeve to aposition whereat the end thereof is proximate with the nozzle of saidsleeve; means to return said sleeve and vacuum tube to normal loweredposition.

5. A combination according to claim 4 in which said vacuum tube includesa narrowed portion apertured about the periphery thereof to create avacuum in the lower portion of said sleeve.

6. The process of vacuum packaging a hollow noncollapsible articlehaving an open end in a collapsible air-tight bag, comprising the stepsof: withdrawing air from the bag at one location in said bag andwithdrawing air at another location in said bag during and afterwithdrawal of air at said first location.

7. The process of vacuum packaging a hollow noncollapsible articlehaving an open end in a collapsible airtight bag, comprising the stepsof: withdrawing air from said bag at a first location in the bagadjacent the neck of the bag and withdrawing air from the bag at asecond location spaced a substantial distance interiorly from the bagneck during and after withdrawal of air at said first location.

8. The process of vacuum packaging a hollow noncollapsible articlehaving an open end in a collapsible airtight bag, comprising the stepsof: collapsing the bag against the article and withdrawing air at alocation within the hollow of the article during and after collapse ofsaid bag.

9. The process of vacuum packaging eviscerated poultry in a collapsibleair-tight bag, comprising the steps of: withdrawing air from said bag ata first location in the bag adjacent the neck of the bag and withdrawingair from the bag at a second location spaced a substantial distanceinteriorly from the bag neck during and after withdrawal of air at saidfirst location.

10. The process of claim 9 and wherein the second location from whenceair is withdrawn is within the eviscerated cavity of the poultry withinthe bag.

11. The process of vacuum packing a hollow noncollapsible article havingan open end in a collapsible airtight bag comprising the steps of:withdrawing air from said bag at a first location in the bag adjacentthe neck of the bag, and also withdrawing air from said bag at a secondlocation within the hollow of sid article and through said open endthereof.

12. In a combination with a vacuum source, a bag vacuumizing and liftingdevice comprising an elongate sleeve having a nozzle end for entry intothe bag, means for supporting said sleeve in a depending pivotal position with the nozzle end disposed downwardly, said supporting meansbeing adapted to afford axial movement to said sleeve between an upperand a lower position, means for selectively axially driving said sleevefrom the lower position to the upper position, an elongate tube slidablydisposed in said sleeve and having an air inlet end movable relativesaid nozzle between a retracted position and a projecting position,means for yieldably biasmg said tube toward the retracted position,means for releasably locking said tube in a lower position when saidsleeve is in the lower position so that on movement of the sleeve to theupper position said tube will be in the proecting position, and meanscommunicating said vacuum source to said tube and to said sleeve.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said axially driving meanscomprises a cylinder, a piston slidably movable within said cylinder,means for securing said sleeve to said piston and means for controllablycommunicating said vacuum source to said cylinder.

'ment of said sleeve.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said controllable vacuumcommunicating means comprises a valve having a control arm for movingthe valve between an opened and closed position and an abutment platesecured the valve to an open positionin response to pivotal move 15. Theinvention of claim 12 wherein said releasable tube locking meanscomprises a stop ring secured to said tube and a substantially rigid armdepending from said sleeve supporting means, said arm terminating at itslower end in an abutment for engaging said sleeve, whereby pivotalmovement of said sleeve and tube relative said supporting meansdisengages said stop ring from said abutment.

5? p 0 ts References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS 247,855 Smalley Get. 4, 1881 594,449 Weber Nov. 30, 1897 816,169Macy 1.; Mar. 27, 1906 2,335,738 Casey Nov. 30, 1943 2,376,583 De PoixMay 22, 1945 2,402,121 Brewster et al June 18, 1946 2,581,914 Darrow -1Jan. 4, 1952 2,681,757 Kellerman June 22, 1954 2,695,741 Haley Nov. 30,1954 2,887,849 Lytle May 26, 1959 2,905,506 Kristensen Sept. 22, 19592,955,941 Huldrans et al. 1 Oct. 11, 1960 2,991,600 Lancaster July 11,1961 3,062,590

Turner'et a1 Nov. 6, 1962

6. THE PROCESS OF VACUUM PACKAGING A HOLLOW NONCOLLAPSIBLE ARTICLEHAVING AN OPEN END IN A COLLAPSIBLE AIR-TIGHT BAG, COMPRISING THE STEPSOF: WITHDRAWING AIR FROM THE BAG AT ONE LOCATION IN SAID BAG ANDWITHDRAWING AIR AT ANOTHER LOCATION IN SAID BAG DURING AND AFTERWITHDRAWAL OF AIR AT SAID FIRST LOCATION.